Funds for opioid treatment lagging behind the problem

In an effort to continue the fight against the opioid and suicide crises, Southeastern Utah Health Department manager Debbie Marvidikis said that the department needs more funding from the state and federal government. “It’s really hard to identify,” Marvidikis said of the ongoing opioid crisis and the cause of its continuation. Over the last couple of weeks, there have been numerous overdose calls (including one intentional) in Carbon County, which is continuing to see the numbers of the opioid abuse rise, and the suicide epidemic remain steady in the new year.
Since the population of Carbon County has started to decline, funding for programs has been cut and places like the Southeastern Utah Health Department have had to look elsewhere for financial support for prevention programs. The department has seen a reduction of funds which puts a burden on the facility as the appropriate number of staff cannot be hired for full time positions. “Funding is based on your population, not your burden,” Marvidikis continued, expressing her frustration at the way financial support is allocated. “We’ve been red flagged since 2002,” Marvidikis said of the above- average numbers for the last 15 years.
However, despite all the challenges the county is seeing with the two issues, there are facilities available for people to turn to for help, such as the Four Corners clinic in Price. “We want to provide a message of hope,” Four Corners Community Behavioral Health chief executive officer Karen Dolan said of treatment options available. Many of the programs that Four Corners provides are scientifically based and have used real world experiences to design treatment. “Long term plans are available,” Dolan continued, hoping that people don’t fear that the stigma often associated with treatment prevents them from getting help.
According to health.Utah.gov, prescription opioid deaths have outnumbered heroin and cocaine deaths since 2002, and there have been 51.1 deaths per 100,000 in Carbon and Emery Counties.
Another issue that could affect the community in the near future is a possible HIV or Hepatitis C outbreak because of all the needle usage. “Ninety percent of people who use opioids switch to heroin,” Marvidikis said of people who abuse opioids. Heroin is often used as a substitute for people who run out of pills and cannot get prescription refills from doctors.
In an effort to stem the tide, there are steps being taken to enact a needle exchange program in Price City. “There’s that controversy starting,” Karl Kraync said of the possible exchange program. Besides being the owner of a car dealership, Kraync is a substance abuse counselor. “There are strong views for it and strong views against,” Kraync continued. The exchange program was talked about at the last city council meeting with the council planning a vote on possibly bringing the issue up at the next city council meeting on March 22. “I have not decided yet on where I stand,” Kraync noted.
Even though people may be quietly struggling with the dueling issues, healthcare workers want people to know there are treatment options available and people should not be worried about the stigma associated with going into treatment.
Numerous sources declined to go on the record for their opinion on the needle exchange program, however there is a possibility that the issue could be brought up in the next city council meeting on March 22.